Case-filling machine



arch 8 1927. c H. WILD CASE FILLING MACHINE Filed Dec. 14, 1925 9 Sheets-Sheet 1 g I I Gttoznmo March 8 1927.

C. H. WILD CASE FILLING MACHINE Filed Dec. 14, 1925 9 Sheets-Sheet 2 Illlllll gum n March 8,1927.

c. H. WILD- CASE FILLING MACHINE Filed Dec. 14. 1925 9 Shee tS-Sheet 5 March 8; 1927.

c. H. WILD CASE FILLING MACHINE 9 Sheets- Sheet 4 Filed Dec. 14, 1925 arch c. H. WILD CASE FILLING MACHINE- Filed Dec. 14, 1925 9 Sheets-Sheet 5 1 619,839 March 8, 1927. c. H. WILD v CASE FILLING MACHINE 9 Sheets-Sheet 6 I Filed Dec. 14. 1925 C. H. WILD CASE FILLING MACHINE March 8 Filed Dec. 14, 1 25 9 Sheets-Sheet 7 March 8, 1927. 1,619,839

c. H. WILD CASE FILLING MAcHiuE Filed Dec. 14, 1925 i 9 Sheets-Sheet 8 Patented Mar, 8, 1927*,

- 1,619,839" PATENT OFFICE.

enemas mwnm, or BALTIMORE, MARYLAND, ASSIGNOR T nunr MACHINE e0M-.

' Y rm, mconrona'rnn, a conrona'rron' or MARYLAND.

CASE-F ILLING MACHINE.

Application filed December 14, 1925; SerialJNo. 75,366.

- The invention relates to a machine for filling cases or boxes, or particularl paper -cartons,'wi;th cans. The machine s 'own is semi-automatic and includes means for handling aplurality of layers of cans at a single 0 eration or stroke of the plunger by wliic they are moved mtothe case or box. The machine is so constructed as to avoid, by automatic action, crushing or outting of the cans, and the disclosure also co m prises an automatic indicating device which assists in obtaining uniformity afar-rangement of the cans in the case, avoiding 1nstanees of partial filling of the cases or car-,

tons. A

In the accompanying draw ngs 1 have illustrated a machine embodying the features of my invention in the preferred form,

and certain modifications of some of the features and parts of themachine. In the drawings- Figure 1 1s a rear elevation of the filling.

end of the machine, i. e., the load-forming and plunger mechanism, the figure being broken away at the left for convenience of illustration.

Figure 2 is an elevation also from the rear side of the machine and joining the view Figure 1 on the left of the latter figure, showing the hopper and a portion of the chute with the motor and gearing.

Figure 3 is an elevation on an enlarged scale of the gearing and clutch mechanism shown in Figures 1 and 2, looking at the same from theleft in said figures.

Figure .t is'a view corresponding to Figure 1 and taken from the same irection, showing the load-forming structure, the plunger being removed for convenience of illustration.

Figure 5 isa top plan of the machine,

Figure 6 is a section on the line 6+6 of Figure 4. v i

Figure 7 is an elevation of the case-delivery mechanism looking in the direction of the arrow-in Figure Figure 8 is a plan of the same.

Figure 9 is a fragmentary section on the line 9, QFigure 5 and on an enlarged scale showing a can misplaced as it enters the load-forming mechanism for the purpose of illustrating'fiahe safety catch or stop motion.

Figure 10 is a perspective view of one of the load-forming gates.

Figure 11 is a fragmentary elevation spon ing showing the can switch for thepurpose bfturmng'the cans from the'track feeding one layer, to the track feeding the other'layer.

Flgure ,12 is a fragmentaryv view illustrating the disk, connecting rod, Wrist pin and crank pin ,which actuate the vplunger arm and the positioning means for the'same,

F1 ure 13 is a fragmentary section correto Figure 6, and it"may be treated as ta en on the line 13-13 of Figure 4. Figure 14: is a similar View of a hand lever operated plunger actuating mechanism, and llrngaylge treated asv taken on. the same line Figure 15 isia detailed view of the mecha nism shown in Figure 14, the same being taken on the line' 15, 15 of Figure 14:.

Figure 16 is a top plan of the track or hopperflshown in front elevation in Figure 2, ilustrating the electric indicator or detector mechanism.

Figure 17 is a transverse section on the line 17, 1'1 Figure 16 looking in the direction of the arrow.

Figure 18 is a circuit diagram correspond 1 mg to Figure 17; and a Figure 19 isa detailed view of one of the switches of the' indicating or detecting 'mechanism, the same being a fragmentary view taken from the left next to the observer in Fi ure 16. 7

Referring to the drawings by numerals, each of which'is used to indi'cate'thesame or similar parts in the difierent figures, the machine, as shown, described in general terms, so comprises longitudinal inclined; side frame members 1, base 2, hopper 3, Ways 4 leading to the hopper, and'ordinarily fed from the labelling machine not shown, tracks 5 and plunger 6., at

The cans are led by the ways 4 to the hopper 3, from which-they pass along the lower inclined track 5' into the, load-forming area or enclosure 10 resting against the loadformin abutment plate 11 the load forming area being the intersection of the can tracks 1 or supports with the plunger to be described, the same being bounded by the abutment plate 11 and the gates 70 to be later described. When the first can on the bottom track 5 is so placed and the remainder of the bottom track 5' is filled, the continuous flow of cans down the Ways fills up the ho per until the second track 5' is similar y fi ed. W en the cans further accumulatfue V in the hopper, they flow one over the other,

the third track 5 is likewise filled, the end can resting against the load-forming abutment plate 11 as aforesaid. To assist the assage of the cans over each other 1n the hopper, a bridge late 12 is provided, the same being adjustable to conform to the sizes of the cans, to assist in the flow of the cans-to form the last tier on the upper track.

The bridge plate is a transverse plate extending across the hopper opening from side resent invention, as orm automatlcally a charge or load to be handled by and witha single stroke of the plunger and to consist of a plurality of layers of cans. To th1s i end the track is provided with a can switch illustrated in elevation in Figure 11 and in plan in Figure 5.

' The ways 4, as shown in plan are in fact, double arallel ways. Beyond the way 4 at theright in Figure 5 is a single way 15 i of a width to correspond to the length of a single can, and leading from the labeller or any point from which cans are fed to the caser. This single way 15, is directly connected in the form of the machine shown in Figure 5 to the rear track 14 of the double way 4 away from the operator.

When cans have been fed to the machine in suflicient quantity to form one vertical row or layer in the charge-forming enclosure- 10, and j to form a similar layer fillingu r one section or side'of the hopper, and feeding of the cans is continued, the cans fill up the way '14 at one side to the extent illustrated in Figure 11. i v

For the purposes of the switch to be de: scribed, the ways are formed with a shoulder or step 16 of a' height equal to the diameter of the cans being loaded. The track on the side 14 leads from the bottom of this step. The shoulder may be made adjustable -by a slot and bolt connection at 17 and by pivoting a portion 18 of the ways at this point to the honner in any suitable manner ,as by eye and bolt 19.

The step or shoulder 16 has the effect when one layer is formed in the load-forming mechanism, tracks and hopper, as al-- ready described, and feeding of cans 15 continued, of leading a second layer of cans over the beginning of the first layer at .20

just beyond the step, the cans fed subsequently to the comp et being at this point raised in that they are caused to flow or roll over the first layer of cans at this point.

"The operation of the switch is'made dependentupon this incident. The switch member 21, the forward or up-streamend of which is indicated by reference character 22 in Figures 5 and 11, consists of one or more strips of sheet metal or'plate curved in vcrtlcal and horizontal planes and suition of the first layer I ably connected to the sides of the ways as by upright straps 24. The upper tier of cans 25 on the member 18 is deflected to the front'into the forward passage 14' of the ways 4, forming a second i layer which, if feeding 15 continued. is completely formed in the charge or load-forming enclosure 10,

as previously described.

Complete filling of the load-forming mechanism maybe indicated by a suitable indicator to be described or the further operation of the machine may be dependent upon the observation by the operator that the load-forming mechanism is completely filled. When the charge-forming enclosure is filled, as,described, the cans are fed to the case or carton in a. manner to be more specifically described hereinafter by the ,action of the plunger 6.

L The plunger 6 is of the same general con.-

struction as that-shown in my prior patent to which reference has been made, that is,

it consists of an upright plunger body 27 to which are attached a series of can-pushing bars 28 and 28, one spaced above each track 5 parallel to the respective rails 5, 5, 5', the lower can-pushing bar 28 being provided in the form of the invention shown with rollers 29 which run on the bottom rail or floor 5 which is flat both longitudinally and laterally to permit thecans to roll in the direction of the feed and to permit the plunger to run transversely thereon.

'lne plunger is actuated by a swinging arm 30 fulcrumed at its lower end on a depending bracket 31 secured to and extending downward'from side frames-1, the arm being mounted to swing on and about. a stud iii:

32 passed through the arm and through the bracket. In the form shown the end of the arm is forked at 36 and straddles the-end of the bracket. The swinging arm is connected to the plunger body 27 at the upper end of the armand at the rear vertical centre of the bracket by means of a transverse pin or stud 34 passed through the ends of formed on arms 37 projecting rearwardly from the plunger body.

While the plunger may be actuated by the i operator directly by a hand lever or pedal, as described in the modified form of the ma chine illustrated herein, in the preferred form it is actuated by a motor mounted on a suitable bracket 39 on the machine frame through suitable connections, which in the form of the invention shown, comprise a pulle 42 on the motor shaft, a belt 43 driven y the pulley, and a second pulley 41 driven by the belt and mounted to rotate freely on and relatively to the constantly running clutch shaft 45, the pulley 41 and the shaft 45 being connected at intervals by a friction clutch 46. The clutch shaft 45 carries a toothed pinion 47 meshing with a toothed gear 48 on the actuating shaft 49 and the actuating shaft 49 carries secured thereto and rotating therewith, see Fi ures 1 and 13, a crank pin and positioning disk 50. The crank pin 51 carried by the disk is connected by a suitable bearing to a connecting rod 52, which at its opposite end is connected by suitable bearing and Wrist pin 53 to the plunger lever 30 in which the wrist pin is mounted. As the stud 32 on which the plunger lever 30 is mounted and the actuating shaft 49 are placed at an angle, the bearings and pins 51 and 53 are formed with spherical bearing surfaces to provide for the angularity of the arc of swing of the arm, in other words, it permits side play of the connecting rod.

- The clutch 46 which serves to throw the shaft 45 and train 47, 48, and actuating shaft 49 into and out of driving connection with the motor through the, pulley 41, is actuated by clutch lever 55, see Figure 2, mounted on clutch lever shaft 56 which is indirectly actuated by a foot pedal 57, see Figure 5, in easy reach of the o erator at the front of the machine. The oot'pedal 57 is mounted on a stud 58 supported in suitable bearings in the machine base, and the foot pedal lever 59, see Figure 4, crosses and contacts with an arm 60 on the clutch lever shaft 56. By pressure of the foot on the pedal 57, the friction clutch 46 is engaged,

establishing a driving connection between the continuously rotating pulley 41 and the intermittently rotating clutch shaft 45. The

clutch in engaging, is moved in the direction of the arm, i. e., to the right in Figure 2, see also Fi ure 1.

A complete operation of the plunger is performed during a. single rotation of the shaft 49, and the shaft 49 is therefore utilized as an agency to throw out or release the clutch shaft and position the plunger arm 30 and plunger 6 for the next operation. The clutch is'thrown out at the end of each operation of the plun er after its return to normal or initial position by means of a dog 61 on the-shaft 49 engaging a suitable shoe or follower 62 on the clutch lever 55, see Figure 3, also Figures 1 and 2.

Y The actuating shaft 49 also carries the crank pin and positioning disk 50 already 1 described. The positioning disk 50 is formed with a positioning notch or positioning rocket 64. see Figure 12, which in the nor mnl position of the parts which may be referred to as the initial position is engaged by a follower 65 on an arm 66 adjustably mounted on the shaft 56. fact mounted to swing relatively to the shaft 56 and is adjusted by means of oppositely disposed set-screws thereon which engage opposite sides of a lug 67 extending outward radially from the shaft 56 and rigidly secured thereto. The arm 66 is preferably given a slight degree of play relatively to the shaft56 and is held in contact with the disk 50 by a spring 69, the correct adjustment of the positioning arm being such that the rotation of the shaft corresponding to the clutch motion in engaging, releases the disk and motion of the shaft, in disengaging the clutch leaves the positioning arm free to enter with its follower 65 into the notch 64. The parts are so related that the follower 65 enters the notch 64 when the clutch is com-' pletely released and, further, the momentum of the parts is sufficient to carry the dog 61 by the follower 62, leaving the clutch and clutch arm, etc. ready for re-engagement of the clutch whenever the operator presses on the pedal. I

It will be apparent, as aforesaid, that when the clutch is engaged by ressing the foot on the depal, the disk 50 is immediately released by the.exit of the follower 65 from the slot 64, and the actuating shaft 49 performs a complete revolution, the plunger 6 moving forward and returning to initial position, the clutch being released by the action of the dog 61 and the parts positioned after complete revolution of the shaft by the entrance of the follower 65 into the notch 64, as aforesaid, placing the machine auto- -matically in condition for a second operation.

The shaft 56 when actuated by the foot pedal, as aforesaid, performs a still further function in that it serves to separate the cans on the track immediately adjacent the load from the cans comprising the load, avoiding jamming and rubbing of the cans. This mechanism also includes or operate; as a stop or safety mechanism to prevent crushing, cutting and jamming of the cans, and breakage of the machine by misplacement or dislocation of a can or cans in feeding from the track to the load-forming enclosure.

The'cut-oflt' or separating mechanism comprises a serles of gates 70, one for each track or tier, each gate 70 being in the form of a The arm 66 is in section of the track illustrated in detail in i ways, an upright lug 71 which is pivotally connected to a corresponding lug 72 on the upright flange of the adjacent. track 5. The three gates corresponding to the three tracks, 5, 5 and 5, are connected together to move simultaneously by a single connecting rod 73 pivotally engaged with each of said gatesby means of pins 4 in the gates having suitable bearings in the rod, and the bottom gate 70 is, in the preferred form, actuated from the shaft 56 as o1lowsz A swinging arm 7 pivoted on a suitable bracket 76 on the base carries at its upper end a roller 78 adjustably mounted on the lever in any suitable manner, as illustrated in Figure 4, at 77, the adjustment shown being a bolt and slot connection between the arm and a carrier bracket 79 on which the roller is pivoted. The roller 78 engages the bottom of the lower gate 70 for a portion of the throw of the lever 75, the adjustment being for the purpose of determining the extent of the swing ofthe gates 70 in their operation. The path of contact of the roller with the bottom of the gate is sufficient to raise the gates 70 to the dotted line position shown in Figure 4. The swinging lever 75 is in turn actuated by an arm 80 projecting upwardly from the shaft 56 and connected at its upper end to the arm 75 by a connecting rod 81.

It will therefore be apparent that when the operator starts the plunger .in operation by stepping on the pedal, the shaft 56, which is the clutch shaft, being swung to operate the clutch, throwing it into engagement, the gate 70 will be raised, cutting off the cans on the tracks adjacent the load from the load within the load-forming enclosure, which is in the path of and to be moved by the plunger in the operation which is thus initiated; in other words, the gates 70 move simultaneously with the clutch member and pedal.

Having reference to Figure 9, should one of the cans 82, as the can 83illustrated, become displaced or turned out of the line of the feed as shown in Figure 9, it will intervene between the corresponding gate and the load-enclosing portion of-"the frame 84 which includes pin 85 extending above the upper track. In case the cans on either of the lower tracks become displaced at this period of the operation, they will be caught between the corresponding gate 70 and the next track 5 above.- A can in the position of the can 83 shownin, Figure 9, would either be cut in halves by .theplunger, placing a broken can in the box, and searring the other cans and the machine, or it would cramp the machine and break one of the parts.

Ths difiiculty is overcome and prevented by the mechanism described, as the misplaced can 83 intervening between a stationary member, as the pin 85, or one .of the tracks 5 and one of the gates 70, prevents the o eration of the gate, and being connected to the shaft 56 by mechanism presenting a long leverage about the shaft, will prevent the swing of the clutch shaft and therefore prevent the machine from being thrown into operation, as the clutch cannot be operated without swinging the shaft.- The leverage of the parts and the resistance effected in this way, without injuring the mechanism or destroying the can, is suflicient to prevent the operation of the clutch pedal.

A further important feature of the machine relates to the mechanism for opening the flaps of the boxes or cartons which are being tilled and to the delivery of the filled cartons. 1 The cartons as presented to the machine are held by the operator on the table 86 at the front, see Figures 5 and 6, the flaps being opened by guides 87 at the top and guides 88 at one side, and 89 at the other side.

Particular difliculty has heretofore been encountered in properly approaching the cartons to the load-forming mechanism because of the fact that the bottom flap encounters the track and serves to space the box away from the tracks. This difiiculty has been overcome in the present instance by spacing the bottom floor or track 5 above the table or box 86 and providing a bottom guide 90 which serves to turn the flap downward under the bottom track or floor 5', permitting the carton to be placed close up against the charge orv load-forming enclosure. -The cartons are merely placed in position on the guides and table by the operator and released. The filling stroke of the plunger imparts a certain amount of momentum to the filled package which causes the package to slide in the direction of the stroke and striking the conveyor belt 91 to turn to upright osition on the belt with the opening of the a s turned upward. In passing from the tab e to the belt, the carton moves over the carton wa s 92 as shown in plan in Figure 5 and also In -Figure 8. These are mounted on the conveyor frame.

n The conveyor is illustrated in plan and in side elevation in Figures 7 and 8, and is shown fragmentarily at 91 in Figure 5, Figure 7 being a view looking away from the machine in the direction of the arrow in Figure 5 and Figure 8 a corresponding plan.

At the left in Figures 7 and 8 and at the right front in Figure 5 I have shown a conveyor belt-feeding carton support which receives and supports one lower edge or corner of the cartons, the same being the lower lefthand corner as seen in F ures 7 and 8, in which figures a filled cartonl'sindicated as passing from the machine to the or far side of Figure 13 which includes the belt over the ways 92; As already stated, gate'lever 75 and roller 7 8. The heel 115,

tippin the forward lower edge or corner of the carton, particularly'the ower righthand cornor, as seen in Figure 7, striking the belt,

turns the carton 94 to upright position on,

the belt, in which position it is, as it is -re-' ceived or fed to the belt, supported as to the lower lefthand corner by the support 95 and as to the then forward side by the carton shield 96 which is an upright plate on the far side of the lower end of the conveyor,

-Figures 7 and 8. The conve or is also provided with side rails 97 an 98 to prevent of the cartons, and is supported by re ers 99 and driven by a motor 100 or I from any suitable source of power, the motor being connected to the conveyor through a belt 101 and train of gearing 102.

)lhe operation of this machine has been so fully described in connection with the structure that it will be clear to those skilled in the art. i 1n Figures 13, 1a and 15 are illustrated, in Figure 13 a pedal, driven and in Figures 11and'15 a manually driven or operated plunger and can gate and stop motion actuating mechanism. Figure 13 shows a pedal actuated mechanism for operating the plunger and the corelated members, Figure 13 being a fragmentary section on line '13, 13 Figure 4; but showing the bottom gate only, the remainder of the machine being omitted for convenience of illustration.

The pedal mechanism illustrated in Figure 13 comprises a foot pedal 105'pivoted at 106 on a depending bracket 107 secured to the side frame members 1, the pedal 105 being in the form of a bell crank lever having an upright arm 108, the motion of the upper or swinging end of Whichis transv mitted by a connecting rod 109 to the plunger arm 110 which is pivoted at its lower end atlll on the end of an arm 112 of the bracket 107, the connecting rod 109 being pivotally connected to the arm 110 at a point 'll lQspacedabove the lower end 111 in the storm of the structure shown by a distance slightly less than the length of the arm 108. The arm 110 corresponds to the arm 30 Figure 1.. The manner of operating the plungenthe motion thereof being similar to that already described in connection with Figure 1, etc, will be obvious from the, description and illustration.

By reference to Figure 4, it will be noted that the gate lever is provided with a rearwardly projecting heel 115. 'This heel is unnecessary to the operation of the machine in the motor driven form illustrated in Figures 1,2 and 4', etc., but the castings as at present made are adapted for, use in both types of machine and areprovided with this heel member.- This same heel member; is shown mostly in dotted lines in the rear motion of theopedal lever 105 engaged by a roller 117 pivotally mounted onthe upper swinging end or the upright arm 108. of the bell crank pedal lever. The action of the roller 117. on the surface 116 of the heel 115 swings the gate lever 7 5 away from the observer in Figure 13 orto the right in Figure d opening the gates 70 as shown in Figare 1, and separating the cans'on the feed ways from the'cans inthe load-forming enclosure as already described.

The partsbeing shown in initial osition,

seeFigure 13, it 18 apparent that 'thisoperation, which is necessarily the first step, takes place before the plunger moves I V and if by any chance a can should be misplaced, it will-be detected by the correspondthe cans,

mg gate 70, as already described, with the 0 result that the gate lever 75, the heel 115, and consequently the pedal lever, will be locked, preventing the operation of the plunger for the purposes already outlined in connection with theg'ate and stop motion, as already described.

Figure 14 is a fagmentary section corres'ponding to Figure 13, illustrating a handoperated plunger, gate mechanism and stop motion, Figure 15 being a fragmentary section at right angles to Figure 14 and corre sponding to Figure 4, being taken on the line16, 16 Figure 14. In this instance the plunger member 6 is actuated directly by a handle 120 extending upwardly from the rear connecting ears 35 of the plunger, the

handlever extending downwardly at 121 and being pivotally mounted on the base at 122. The lower portion 121 of. the hand lever is in the form of a bell crank lever having an adjustable lower arm 123 substantially at right angles to themember 121 also mounted on the stud 122 and having upwardly extending jaws 124 on each side 0 the member 121 which is adjustable relatively to the-arm 123 by set-screws 125 in the respective jaws bearing on the opposite sides "of the arm 121. The arm 123 is'connected at its swinging end by means of a connecting rod 127 to the horizontal arm 128 of a bell crank lever having an upright arm 129 and pivoted on a suitable bracket 130 on the base, the upright arm 129 being in turn connected at its upper or swinging nov ates are'connected'together in pairs side by side. i

It is obvious from examination of the mechanism as illustrated in Figures 14 and 15 that .when the handle 120 is pulled to l the left in Figure 14, as it must be to actuate the plunger, the arm 42? will swing downward drawing the connecting rod 127 also downward, swinging the arm 129 of the bell crank 128, 129 to the right in Figure 15, likewise moving'the cam segment 132 to the right and drawing the incline 134 under; the roller 135 and raising the gates which are, as already illustrated, connected together in a vertical series, so that the gates in this construction, as in the other two forms illustrated, are actuated riorto the movement of the cans by the p unger,-an'd in this mechanism, as in the two previously described, if a can should be displaced, as illustrated in Figure 9 or otherwise, the operation of the gates will .be checked and the mechanism locked against manual operation, so that the trouble will be instantaneously detected without breaking the ma- 1 chine orcutting the cans, avoiding fouling of the machine and the cans being handled.

In handling a plurality of layers ofcans at, a single operation of the plunger; itmay in some instances be regarded as difficult for the operator to determine when the load or charge is formed ready for the operation of the plunger. 7

Figures 17, 18, 19, and 16 illustrate an electrical indicating means, the object of which is to make it apparent to the operator when the load-forming mechanism is full ready for the operation of the load-moving mechanism illustrated and referred to here: in as the plunger 6. Figure 16 is a plan of a the track members just in front, 1. e., to the left in Figures I and 2 of the load-forming enclosure and theplunger 6, meaning that it is a portion of the track occupied by the cans just before they enter the path of the plunger. The figure includes a diagrammatic illustration of the cans 150 which as shown are in close contact filling the track at this point.

The previous description of the machine and its operation will make it apparent that when the cans are being fed continuously to the machine, the load-forming mechanism bein filled and the load being thus completey formed ready for the operation of the p unger in filling the carton or casing, the upper track, 5, illustrated in Figure 16, will become filled with cans as illustrated in that figure immediately after the load is completed.

The object of the detector or indicating mechanism is to indicate to the operator when the track in front of the load-forming means or in front of the path of the plunger 05 is completely filled and hence to convey to 'positlon in the the operator knowled e of the fact that the load 1s completed rea y for operation of the plunger. I

While in most instances an indicator relating only to the presence of cans in fixed 7" portion of the top way in front of the pat of the plunger, would be sufficient it might in, some instances ha pen that the lower tracks in some way would become blocked. and the top portion of the load-forming means vbe filled while the lower-part is'partially or wholly empty.=v Therefore with the object of achieving complete reliability, the indicator or de tector in its preferred form has been made to apply to and depend for its final indicatmg operation upon the filling of all the tracks correspon ing to all the layers and tiers of cans comprising the load.

The detecting or indicating apparatus, as shown, comprises an electric circuit 151 including a lamp or other current indicating means 152, and any suitable source of electricity 153', the circuit being broken at intervals by normally 0 en switches 154, 154, and 154" operated y the cans in the top,- middle and bottom tiers, respectively. These switches are illustrated more in detail 1n Figure 16, in which the top switch on each side is shown in plan. Each switch, as shown, comprlses a can feeler arm 155 and a contact arm 156, the latter carrying a contact block 157 suitably insulated from the arm by msulating material 158. The feeler arm and contact arm 155, 156 of each switch R3 are preferably made integral, as shown in- Figure 16, and mounted to rotate about an upright shaft 159 at the side of the tracks or magazine, and each feeler arm is imgelled toward the cans in the preferred form caring on the ends of the cans as shown by means of a spring 160, shown as hearing at one end against the contact arm 156 and at the other end against a stationary. memher 161 on the frame. The springserves also tokeep the switch normally out of contact, it bein understood that the structure mcludes stationary contacts 152, two of them for each switch, see particularly Figure 19 spaced apart, the circuit being made when the moving contact member 157-is in contact with both fixed contact members 162 relatmg to thesame switch; The fixed member a 160 referred to is shown in Figure 19, as a road or bar at the side ofthe tracks. The operation of the detectoris obvious from thedescription. As the cans pass along the tracks in the direction'of the load-forming means, the switches 154, 154 and 154 are closed at intervals, the upper switches 154'" and 154 not being closed in the normal operation of the machine until the lower tiers of theload are completed, and in the present type of machine the switches on one side are not closed until the layer on the other light.

side otthemachine is completed. When, however, the layer on one side of the load is completed as to all tiers from bottom to top and the layer on theother side is completed up to the top tier 1n the normal operation or the machine, live ot the switches 154, 154' and 154" Wlll be permanently closed and the last switch 154 on the unfilled side will be closed at intervals as the cons pass, producing a flickering of the This gives the operator, warning that the load is about to be completed, and when the load is completed and the tracks are finally filled in front of the path of the load-moving mechanism or plunger, the light 154 is permanently illuminated, and in the absence of a master switch, so remains until the plunger is operated, removing the cans from the load-forming mechanism, and on the return of the plunger, permitting the ,cans to move from the tracks immediately in front of the load-forming means into the latterwhen the circuit is again broken and the operation repeated.

The operation as just described is'the normal operation by which the operator is Warned each time theload-forming means is filled and it is time to operate the loadmovin'g member or lunger to fill the carton.

If by any chance tr e cans become cramped in the hopper so that the lower tiers are not filled, the upper tier being filled first or the single lower tier not being filled, the upper tiers are'filled, or if by any chanceany of the tiers is not filled, which occurrences arevery infrequent, in the great majority of such instancesat least the tracks immediately in front of the load-forming means will be partially empty and the circuit will be broken at one. of the switches 154:,154' and 154;", so that the indicating means or light 132 will not be energised and the operator will therefore be warned in due course to investigate and correct the difficulty before'causing the load-moving mechanism to be operate The operation of the various features of the machine having been fully discussed in Y connection with the description thereof, the

operation of the entire machine is believed to have been fully disclosed, so that it will be easily understood by those skilled in the art.

I have, thus described specifically and in detail a preferred and other embodiments of my invention in order that the nature and operation of the same may be clearly understood; however, the specific terms herein are used descriptively rather than in a limiting sense, the scope of-the invention being defined in the claims.

What I claim and desire to secure by Letters Patent is:

1. In a carton or case-filling machine, a load-forming enclosure, supports therein for a plurality of tiers ofcans and ai plurality of layers, means for feeding cans to said enclosure and supports in a plurality of tiers and a plurality of layers, and means for 'moving the load of cans simultaneously and transversely tozthe feed.

2., In aearton or case-filling machine, a load-forming enclosure, supports therein for a plurality of tiers of cans and a plurality transversely the feed, said feeding means comprising tracks placed in tiers spaced one 1 s 1 aoove the other corresponding to the tiersot' cans, each tier comprising a plurality of tracks placed side by side corresponding to i the layers oi cans, v

3.. in a carton or case-filling machine, a load-forrning enclosure, supports therein for a plurality of tiers oi? cans and aplurality of layers, means for feeding cans to said enclosure and supports in a plurality of tiers, and a pluralityof layers, and means for moving the load of cans simultaneously and transversely means comprising traclrs placed in tiers spaced one above the other responding to the tiers of cans, each tier comprising a plurality of tracks placed sideiby' side corresponding to the layers of cans,rand a hopper member by which when the lower tiers are filled, the cans are led to the next tier of tracks higher up;

4. lin a carton or case-fillingjmachinc, a load-forming enclosure, for a plurality of tiers ofcans and a plurality of layers, means for feeding cans to said enclosure in a plurality of tiers, and a plurality of layers, and means for moving the load of cans simultaneously and transversely to the feed, said feeding means comprising tracks placed in hers spaced one above the other corresponding to the tiers of cans, each 'tier comprising a plurality of tracks placed side by side corresponding to the layers of cans, and ways, the portion of the ways nearto the feed, said feeding" est to the tracks being double, and switch means for diverting the cans from onepath of the double way to the other.

5. In acme-filling machine, load-forming mechanism having supports -for a plurality of layers of cans placed end to end, tracks comprising paths in difi'erent vertical planes leading to said loadiforming mechanism whereby the cans are deposited 111 a plurality of layers end to end as aforesaid, cancomprising-paths in different vertical planesleading to said load-forming mechanism whereby the cans are deposited in a plurality of layers, end to end, as aforesaid, can ways having two paths leading to the respective tracks,'a single way leading to said two ways, and switching means for divertin the cans from onepath to the other, said switching means comprising a, step 1n the way of a height corresponding to the diameter of the cans whereby when the portion of the track fed by one said' path is filled, the cans back up to the'step so that the cans are fed from the single way over the cans immediately below the step, and a deflector loading to the second path, said deflector being spaced upwardly to correspond to the heightof the step whereby the cans on the path first fed pass under the deflecting means, and when the cans are filled up to the step, the cans fed thereafter are defiected.

7. In a carton or case filling mechanism, ways having two paths, and a single way leading to said two paths, switching mecha-- nism for deflecting the cans from the single A path from one of the two paths to the other,

comprising a step and a deflector spaced upwardly above'the ways by a distance corresponding to the height of the step.

8. In a carton or case filling mechanism, ways having two paths, and a single Way leading to said two'paths, switchin mechanism for deflecting the cans from the single path from one of-the two paths to the other, comprising a ste and a deflector spaced upwardly above t e ways by a distance corresponding to the height of the step, and means for adjusting the height of the step tocorrespond with the diameter of the cans.

9. 'In a carton or case filling mechanism, ways having two paths, and a single way leadin to said two paths, switchin mechanism fhr deflecting the cans from tie single path from one of the two paths to the other, comprising a step and a deflector spaced upwardly above the wa s by a distance corresponding to theheight of the step, and means for adjusting the height of the step and the height of the deflector to correspond to the diameter of the cans.

10. In a machine for filling cases or 'cartons with cans, a load-forming enclosure comprising supports for a plurality of tiers of cans placed side by side and for a plurality of layers of cans placed end to end, a plurality of tiers oftracks corresponding to the tiers of cans, each of said tiers of tracks having a plurality of'passages corresponding to the layers of cans, hopper mechanism for feeding said tracks, ways having a plurality of paths corresponding to the layers of cans leading tosaid hopper, and a single way leading to said plurahty of ways, means for deflecting the cans from one of said plurality of ways to the other, comprising a step of a height corresponding to the diameter of the cans, and a deflector spaced upwardly from the bottom of the way by a distance corresponding to the diameter of the cans.

11. In a machine for filling cases with cans, means for forming a load to correspond to the size and sha eof the case, a plunger for moving the load into the case, means for actuating the plunger to move the load as aforesaid, said means comprising.- a'motor, a rotary shaft, means for transmittin motion from the motor to the shaft, a pivoted lever connected to the plunger,- means connecting said pivoted lever to the rotary shaft to reciprocate the lever, said transmitting means mcludin a clutch for connecting and disconnecting t e shaft from the motor, automatic means for throwing out the clutch after each complete operation of the plunger, and means for positioning the plunger and lever after each operation when the clutch is disconnected.

12. In a machine for filling cases-with cans, means for forming a load to correspond to the size and shape of the case, a plunger for moving the load into the case, means for actuating the plunger to move the load as aforesaid, said means'comprising a motor, a rotary shaft, means for transmitting, motion from the motor to the shaft, a pivoted lever connected to the plunger, means connecting said pivoted lever to the rotary shaft to reciprocate the lever, saidg transmittingmeans including a clutch for connecting and disconnecting the shaft from the motor, automatic means for throwing out the clutch after each complete operation of the plunger, means for positioning the plunger and lever after each operation when the clutch is dis- "connected, and a pedal for operating the clutch. I

13. In a machine for filling cases or cartons with cans, a load-forming enclosure corresponding to the size and shape of the carton with supporting means for the cans, means for feeding the cans to the load-forming enclosure comprising tracks, gates in said tracks adjacent the load-forming enclosure whereby the cans being fed are cut oif from the load, a plunger for moving the cans comprising the load simultaneously intothe casing, means for; operating the gates and plunger, operating. means and connections from the gate, operating mechanism to the plunger operating mechanism whereby the gates are operated in connection with the plunger, the parts being so timed that the gates are operated prior to the movement of the cans. 1

14, In a machine for filling cartons or cases with cans, load-forming mechanism for supporting the cans. in a group corresponding to the size and shape of the carton,

' ation said load-forming means comprising a can support and a can stop, a track leading to a the load-forming means and a gate in said.

the gate-actuating mechanism being timed to operate prior to the movement of the 15. In a machine for, filling cartons or cases with cans, load-forming mechanism for supporting the cans in aigroup corresponding to the size and shape of the carton, said load-forming means comprising a can su port and a can stop, atrack leading to t e loading-forming means, and a gate in saidtrack to separate the cans being fed from the load, said ate comprising a portion of said track whlch is hinged to swing upwardly relatively to the remainder of the track, a plunger for feeding the load as formed to the case, means for actuating the plunger, means for raising the gate and connections from the plunger-actuating mechanism to the gate-actuating mechanism whereby the two are operated in conjunction, the gate-actuating mechanism belng timed to operate prior to the movement of the cans, means on the machine over the gate whereb the can which is dislocated and stoppe partly on the track andpartly in the path of the plunger would check the gate-operating mechan sm and the plungeroperating mechanism, reventing cutting of the cans or breakage o the machine parts,

. 16. In a machine for filling cases or carvtons with cans, a load-forming means including a support and a stop, a track leading to the load-forming means, a gate -for cutting off the cans being fed by way of the track from' the cans in the load-forming means, a plunger for moving the load into the casing, means for controlling the plunger, means for actuating the gate, the same being connected to the plunger-operating 'mechanismwhereby the plunger and gate are operated in conjunction, the gate-actuating mechanism being timed to close the gate ahead of the operation of the plunger, the machine including means opposite the gate whereby" any can partly on the track and partly in. the path of the plunger will obstruct the operation of the gate, and check the operation of the gate-controlling means, warnmg the operator and preventing operpf the plunger under the circumstances.

17. In amachine for filling cases or cartons with cans, load-forming means com-- prising a can support and an abutment, a track ending to said support, a plunger for moving the pad into thecase, a motor for actuating the plunger, transmission means 7 from the motor to'the plunger including a rotary shaft, and means for communicating v a reciprocating motion from the shaft to the plunger at 'each rotation of the shaft,

Said transmission means including a, clutch whereby the motor may be thrown into and out of connection with said shaft, a dog on said shaft throwing the ,clutch out of engagement after each operation, means con; trolled by the operator for throwing the clutch, into engagement, and positioning .means operating after the clutchvthrow-out for determining the initial position of the plunger after each operation,

18. In a machine for filling cases or cartons with cans, load-forming means com- I prising a can support and an abutment, a track leadin to the case, a motor for actuating the plunger, transmission means from the motor; to the plunger including a rotary shaft, and means for communicating said support a plun er for. moving the load into g a, reciprocating "motion from the shaft to the plunger at'each rotation of the shaft, said transmission means including a clutch whereby the motor may be thrown into and out of connection with said shaft, a dog on said shaft throwing the clutch out of engagement after each operatiom'means controlled by the operator for throwing the clutch into engagement, positioning means operating after the clutch throw-out for determining the initial position of the plunger after eachoperation, agate for separating the cans being fed from the cans comprising the load, and means for operating the gate, said operating means being connected to and operated by the control.

19. In a-machine for filling cases or cartons with cans, load-forming means com-' prising a can support and an abutment, a track leading to said support, a plunger for movin the load into the case, a motor for. actuating the plunger, transmission means from the motor to the plunger including a rotaryshaft, and means for communicating a reciprocating motion from the shaft to the plunger at each rotation of the shaft, said transmission means including a clutch whereby the motor may be thrown into and out of connection with said shaft, a dog on 'saidshaft throwing the clutch out of engagement after each operation, means controlled .,by the operator for throwing the clutch into thin) 'atin means connected to and operated ;the track,- and by I e control, means opposite the gate'between which and the gate anycan artly on art-1y in the pa plunger blocks t e gate and checks the operation of. the gate-actuating mechanism'and the plunger, warning the operator of the 3 i can support and a track leadin trouble and preventing the operation 'ot the plunger. n

20. In a machine for filling cartons wlth cans, load-forming mechanism comprising a thereto,

means for moving the load into t e carton,

flaps of the cartons a support for the carton opposite the loadforming means and in line with the load- ,moving means,the can support being spaced from the carton sup ort to admit the bottom neath-the can support, and a ide for the carton, flaps to deflect and guide the bottom flap beneath the can W support.

21. In a machine for filling cartons with Loans, load-forming mechanism comprising a can .support and a track leading thereto, means for moving the load into the carton, a support for the carton opposite the loadfor-ming means and in line with the loadmoving means, the can support being spaced from the carton support to admit the bottom flaps of the carton beneath the can support of the load-forming means, and guldes for the carton flaps to hold them open during the filling of the carton.

22. A machinefor filling cartons with cans,,comprisin,q load-forming means a suprt for the carton opposite the loa -formmg means, a plunger for moving the load of cans into the carton, a conveyor for the filled cartons spaced from the carton support, the carton ways leading to said conveyor so that a portion of the carton is slightly below the ing the load from the load-forming means to the case, means for indicating the presence of a complete load. in the load-forming means, comprising means on the feeding means in front of the load-forming means .for contacting the cans, and means for indicating the presence of a can in permanent contact with said contacting means showing that the feeding means and therefore the load-forming means are filled with cans.

24. In a case-filling machine, the combination of load-forming means, a trackdown of the means for moving the cans from t e loadtormm means to the case, and means for indicating the presence of a complete load in the loadforming means comprising means for indicating the presence of stationary; cans in the feeding means in front offlithe I load-forming means. 7 V

25. In a case-filling machine, a load-form; I v 5 ing support and etc for the cans, means for moving the load troin said load-forming means, and tracks leading to said load-forming means, means for indicatin the presence of a complete load in the oad-forming means, comprising a normally 0 an electric switch in the path oi the cans a apted to be closed by a can on the track in normal tion opposite the switch, a circuit including the switch, and an electrically actuated indicating member, the presence ofa' complete load in the load-forming means being indicated by the filling of the track with stationary cans, and the consequent permanent closing of the switch by the presence of a stationary can on the track in engagement therewith. c

26. In a case-filling machine having loadformin means comprising can sup orts in a plura ity of tiers, and a pluralit ola ers, tracks in corresponding tiers and ayers lieding to the load-forming means, and electrical indicating means in, the form of a plurality of switches on said tracks in the paths of the cans as they approach the load-forming means, the switches being normally open, and each being closed by the presence of a can on the track opposite the switch, a circuit including each said switch, a source of electricity, and indicating means in said; circuit. v

27. In a case-filling machine having loadformmg means comprising can supports in a plurality of tiers, and aplurality of la ers, tracks in corresponding tiers and layers heading to'the load forming means, and electricalindicati-ng means in the form of a switch adjacent each said track having a moving member projecting into the path of the cans, the switch being normally open and closed by the presence of a can in normal position on the track opposite the switch, a source of electricity and a circuit including all said switches, and indicating means in thecircuitto be actuated when the circuit is closed.

28. .In a case-filling machine having loadforrning means comprising can supports in a plurality of tiers, and a plurality of layers, tracks in correspondin tiers and layers leading to the load-forming means, and electrical indicating means in the form of a switch adjacent each said track having, a moving member projecting into the path of the cans, the switch being normally open and closed by the presence of a can in normal pesitmn on the track opposite the switch, a

source of electricity and a circuit including all said switches, and indicating means in the circuit, to be actuated when the circuit is closed, the closing of the circuit depending on the simultaneous closing of all the switches which is in turn dependent on the complete filling of the load forming means and the consequent filling of the tracks with cans up to the respective switches.

.29. In a case filling machine, load forming a source of electricity and indicating means 15 controlled by the circuit.

Signed by me at Baltimore, Maryland, this 30th day of Nov., 1925.

CHARLES H. WILD. 

